UM-Dearborn Launches Campus Bike Share Program

DEARBORN, MI — University of Michigan-Dearborn this week launched a new bike share program with Zagster, Inc. that will provide a healthy and convenient way for faculty, staff and students to connect with Dearborn’s two downtown areas. The program complements the City of Dearborn’s existing bike share program, which launched in June 2017.

“There is so much to see and do in our communities and this initiative is a way to increase micro-mobility and give additional transportation options. We wanted to give our UM-Dearborn community a free way to travel across campus and into Dearborn, and give Dearborn residents an additional way to connect with campus,” said Business Affairs Senior Manager Marc Anthony Brigolin.

Bike rental stations are located near the circle drives outside the University Center and Fairlane Center North. The Union at Dearborn also launched a station this week, located just outside its main building. Each station includes five bikes, complete with a basket to carry riders’ personal items.

The three bike rental stations expand the City of Dearborn’s current system, which includes 55 cruiser bikes available at 11 stations in Dearborn’s east and west downtown areas and at The Henry Ford.

Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. said the program has increased transportation opportunities for residents, visitors and students.

“Expanding our mobility options is a way for us to stand out as a community,” he said. “Our bike share program has been a success and we’re grateful to the University of Michigan-Dearborn for taking part, adding to the important connections we want to make geographically and socially across our town.”

Participating in the Dearborn Bike Share Program

Riding Dearborn Bike Share is easy. Bikes can be found via the free Zagster Mobile App — available for iPhone and Android — or online at zagster.com/dearborn.

With the touch of a button in the app, riders can control a Bluetooth-enabled locking system that features two points of security. (Alternatively, riders can obtain unlock codes via text message to use with an on-bike keypad.) A ring lock prevents the rear wheel from spinning or being removed, and two sturdy cables — one at each station dock, and one on each bike — connect to the ring lock, allowing riders to either tether bikes to Zagster stations at the end of their trips or to public bike racks for mid-ride stops.

After the rider returns the bike to a designated Zagster bike station, the rental ends and the bike is available for the next person to enjoy.

Riders join the program by signing up for an annual membership online or participating as a non-member, hourly guest. The annual membership of $20 is waived for riders who register with their UM-Dearborn email address. Members receive the first 2 hours of each ride free and a $2 fee for each hour afterward, up to $20.